An Introduction to Electric Charging Stations

Types of Chargers 

• Level 1 

  • 120 Volt AC

  • Adds 2-5 miles of range per hour

  • Primarily home chargers, workplace

• Level 2 

  • 240 Volt AC 

  • Adds 10-20 miles of range per hour

  • Grocery stores, retail parking lots, public parking garages, offices, malls    

• DC Fast 

  • 480 Volt DC or 208 Volt AC

  • Converts high voltage AC (alternating current) power to DC (direct current) power to store directly in the electric battery

  • Adds 60-80 miles of range per 20 minutes

  • Heavy traffic corridors (highways), gas stations, larger businesses 

Costs

• Purchase Costs per unit 

  • Level 1 

    • In 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy listed the range as $300-$1,500 

  • Level 2

    • In 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy listed the range as $400-$6,500 

      • Higher power, public chargers are often above $3,000

  • Level 3 

    • In 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy listed the range as $10,000-$40,000 

• Installment Costs

  • Charging station hosts often have an electrical contractor complete a site evaluation to best determine the specific location for the station

  • During the installation process, the contractor:

    • Purchases the station

    • Installs, upgrades or connects the station to an electric service

    • Installs the charging station

  • Installation costs increase with more complex installation including 

    • Trenching to connect the station to an electrical panel

    • Installing a new electrical service

    • Upgrading the current electrical service

Installment Cost Ranges and Averages

EV Charging Station Type	Installment Cost Range	Average Installment Cost
Level 1	$0-3,000	N/A
Level 2	$600-12,700	$3,000
DC Fast	$4,000-51,000	$21,000

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Operation and Maintenance Costs 

• Operation Costs

  • Costs for the electricity to charge vehicles 

    • Amount will vary depending on

      • The electric utility’s specific rate

      • The volume of vehicles

      • Time spent charging by vehicles at the station

    • Using Level 2 or DC chargers could lead to higher demands on the electric facility, leading to additional demand charges

      • Will vary based on location and charger type

  • If the charging stations are networked online, hosts will have to pay for the network’s communications and office support

    • Fees will range from $100-900 annually

• Capital Costs 

  • Potential warranties for hardware or labor

  • Costs to purchase or lease land or parking spaces

• Maintenance Costs

  • Basic units often do not require regular maintenance as owners often replace the damaged component 

  • More complex units may require periodic maintenance due to the increased amount of components that could fault 

  • Here are examples of maintenance costs for each level of charging station

    • Level 1

      • Replacement of an electrical outlet ($1-$40 plus electrician fee)

      • Minimal maintenance

    • Level 2 

      • Often can replace individual malfunctioning components alone

      • Minimal maintenance

    • DC Fast 

      • Require periodic maintenance due to complex components including cooling systems and filters

      • Highest maintenance costs 

Incentives *

• Clean Fleet EV Incentive Program

  • $1,500 towards the purchase of one fleet level 2 charging station (not available to the public)

  • $2,000 towards the purchase of a public level 2 charging station

    • Depending on the size of the municipality, your town may be eligible for up to four level 2 charging stations

    • To apply, must have purchased a dual port charger with the ability to capture data (networked charger)

  • $4,000 toward the purchase of an eligible battery electric vehicle

  • Rolling basis application, form to apply in the link above 

    • Applications can be found here

• The application deadline is 5 p.m. on May 1, 2022,unless funds are exhausted earlier.

• It Pay$ to Plug In

  • Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations exclusively public

    • Up to $750 for each level 1 charging port 

      • Minimum of 5 charging ports

    • Up to $4,000 for each level 2 charging port

      • 2-20 charging ports per location

    • Money can be used towards purchase, installation and/or other fees

    • Rolling basis application 

      • Follow these application steps

  • Exclusively public DC Fast chargers, especially for prioritized NJ corridors

    • Up to $200,000 in reimbursement 

    • Chargers must have 2 ports at minimum

    • Must be located within one mile driving distance from an exit or intersection along designated major travel corridors 

    • Currently closed for applications since July 22, 2020, but is likely to open again soon

      • Follow these application steps when reopened

  • More information on It Pay$ to Plug In can be found here and here

*The Clean Fleet EV Program and It Pay$ to Plug In cannot be used for the same charger